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Abstract
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV (DSM IV) and the International Classification of Diseases, Volume 10 (ICD 10) differ in the way they regard Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids' (AAS) potential for producing dependence. DSM IV regards AAS as potentially dependence producing and ICD 10 regards them as non-dependence producing. There is also uncertainty as to the psychoactive nature of AAS. This study used a semi-structured interview and a structured diagnostic interview (SCID) keyed to DSM III-R to examine the dependence-producing potential of AAS in a group of 50 AAS users. The study found that 26% of the sample met the DSM III-R criteria for AAS dependence. However, other findings regarding the reasons people use AAS, the mechanism of action of AAS and patterns of cycling the drug, cast doubt on the psychoactive properties of AAS and support a “secondary reinforcement” mechanism of dependence.